Columns

Early each year our office receives questions regarding vehicle license and taxes. I hope that the answers provided below will help.
Why haven’t we mailed your vehicle tax bills?
First, the cards are not bills, they are just courtesy notices and second, they are mailed by the Department of Revenue.

We’ve all heard the saying “You can’t have one without the other.” It works with everything, you know. All things work in combination. It’s called the Web of Life. Every living thing on this earth is connected through combinations.

Brrrr! A good time to remember that spring is only 70 days away. Think of it as only 10 Wednesdays! It seems shorter that way. In the meantime, think warm! Watch some summer fun DVDs and steer clear of winter ones, like “Fargo.”
Though I come from some hearty German and Norwegian stock, I love my wood stove! There is no warmer heat, in my humble opinion. Well, OK, corn or pellet stoves put out more BTUs. As an added bonus, the warm wood stove keeps the cat off my lap.

For the past several years our office has had numerous questions regarding the process and why it has taken so long. I am going to attempt to explain it as only I know how — short and simple. Anyone wanting the longer, technical version can give me a call at 839-3041.
For more than three years, we have been dealing with the redistricting process.
As of Thursday, Jan. 2, Anderson was ninth out of 120 counties to receive approval from the State Board of Elections and the Legislative Research Commission.

Like a lot of other people, when the New Year rolls around, I make several resolutions. And like a lot of other people, by the time February rolls around, I give up on most of them. Sometimes I give up because I don’t really intend to get a second job or clean my house more often, anyway. But other times, I give up because I don’t have what I need to reach my goal.

Happy New Year. The year 2014 is upon us. No one knows what our futures will bring. Kind of exciting, when you think about it. It’s like going to a surprise movie. You never know what you’ll experience.
We can plan and organize all we want, but life is going to happen and directions may change. People will come and go in our lives. Events will change our hearts. Inventions and trends will lead the way to the future. I’d say that’s pretty exciting.

Are you ready to retire? Even if retirement is many years away, it still is a good idea to annually review your plans and see if you are making progress.
Talk to a retirement counselor at work if you are within 10 years from retirement. A one-hour conversation now may help you make financial decisions that will benefit you later.

Spanky, Tiller, Zeus, Lacy and I wish you all a Merry Christmas. This is probably the only time of year when you want to get three F’s, family, fun and food. I thought this would be an especially good time to focus on food.
Special dishes will grace many tables, only to be followed by many satisfied groans. We’re very lucky to have so much bounty, but did you take a moment to remember where all that food came from?

This column just won’t make any sense to someone who doesn’t understand why people eat a slice of pie with a diet drink. I’m combining a nutrition article with a slightly modified recipe for spice cake with cream cheese frosting.
Please pay attention to the cooking tips. Just two times a year I can take a detour from delicious, nutritious food to just plain decadent treats.

If you have sold or intend to sell a vehicle before the end of the year, be sure that the buyer transfers the vehicle at the county clerk’s office.
Just signing the title will not remove your tax obligation for the next year.
Whoever’s name is in the AVIS System (State Transportation System) on Jan. 1 of that year is responsible for the property tax on that vehicle for that entire year. 2014 property taxes will be entered into the AVIS System by the Revenue Department on Jan. 1.